Effect of nanostructured surface configuration on the interface properties and heat transfer of condensation process of argon inside nanochannels using molecular dynamics simulation

Abstract

Present work studies the impact of surface structure on the heat transfer and liquid–vapor interface properties of condensation flow formed inside rough nanochannels compared to the smooth ones, using molecular dynamics simulation. Considering rectangular roughness configuration on the walls of nanochannel, simulations are performed under various saturated temperature conditions to obtain density, velocity, and temperature profiles. Furthermore, the effect of rough elements on the mechanism of liquid film formation and condensation rate as well as the thermal properties of two-phase flow has been investigated. It is observed that the amount of the oscillations in the vicinity of the walls at the end of the simulation time in rough nanochannels, is less than in smooth nanochannels. Results show that the effect of rough structures on the distribution of particles as well as velocity profile is greater at a lower temperature. Also, rough surfaces increase heat transfers at the beginning of the condensation process that leads to higher values of thermal conductivity in the rough nanochannel compared to the smooth nanochannel. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the thermal conductivity of argon condensation in rough nanochannel is approximately equivalent to the value of thermal conductivity in smooth nanochannel by adding one copper nanoparticle to the base fluid of argon.